Thursday, April 17, 2008
Spring Thoughts
The Rebels had their spring game this last Saturday and optimism was in the air. It was hard to get a good feel for how good they will be next year due to the depth issues. With so little depth and the first strings going against essentially the third string for most of the game you expected to see the first team dominate which they did. It just points out again how crucial staying healthy will be next year thanks to the terrible depth that the Fox inherited. If the Rebs stay injury free they can have a solid season. Injuries on the offensive line, tightend, cornerback, and especially quarterback will be very difficult to overcome.
Cordera Eason looked as good as he was advertised coming out of highschool. Great speed, size, and vision. Broke two carries for long touchdowns and left everyone behind him which is something the Rebels haven't seen out of the feature back since Deuce. I look for him to have a great year next season running behind Oher and Jerry in Nutt and Markuson's scheme. I'd beat a dead horse again that he should have been redshirted his freshman year but honestly after seeing him again I think he should have been starting over the Predator.
Snead finished with good numbers on paper but watching the plays and considering the competition its hard to say he looked amazing. He performed alright but threw one terrible interception, was way off trying to throw the fade route, and had some timing/pattern issues with his receivers. Hopefully they will get on the same page by next season and that will take care of its self.
Considering the defense was going against a offense featuring a walk on running back it hard to tell how good the defense really looked. Billy Tapp had a decent afternoon throwing the ball so the secondary has to have some concerns. I think a lot is left to be determined for the defense and probably won't till some of the freshman and Patrick Trahan showed up.
At least the team appears to have actual coaching this time around so they can't help but be better next year. Provided they stay healthy.
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3 comments:
Some questions for the Wookie:
1. Chris Strong - Man or myth? No mention of him in the box score from the spring game.
2. Linebackers - SEC ready?
3. Jevan Snead - Best case scenario is Andre Woodson, worst case scenario is Kevin Fant? Or is that too kind?
4. Did they have any kick-offs in the game? Did we at least appear competent?
Answers.
1) Chris Strong looks like the next Chris Herring still. I wouldn't expect much till he gets himself in game shape. Right now best case scenario is third down pass rushing tackle (but not end.)
2) I scared of that one. Allan Walker looked good but lets wait and see if he's still in school in the fall. Cornell still looks like he needs to get a little tougher but is good about getting in the right place. Ashlee Palmer is a playmaker but also gets out of position a lot. Great coverage for a linebacker. Tony Fein is the most physical by far but just like last year is struggling to learn the new scheme to get in the right place.
3. Best case Andre Woodson complete with the occasional stinker game. Worst case, Josh Nelson.
4. Yes and they were terrible. I blocked that out of my head. They weren't even "live" yet still only went about 10-15 yards deep.
Thanks. Tough to win football games when you have a longer field. Last year we averaged 53.2 yards per KO (Sparks was best with an average of around 57) and we gave up 19.9 yards per return (net of 33.3 yards, or they start just outside our 37 yard line). Our opponents averaged 60 yards per KO and we got 21 yards per return (net of 39 yards, or we start on the 31 yard line). We essentially got a six yard, dead ball penaly whenever we kicked off.
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